Method for adding adornments to metal jewelry

ABSTRACT

A method of embellishing a piece of hollow jewelry, said method comprising the steps of reshaping a section of said piece of hollow jewelry, wherein said reshaped section is designed to accommodate at least one item of embellishment; placing adhesive material into the reshaped section of the piece of hollow jewelry; and positioning at least one embellishment on the adhesive material, thereby bonding said embellishment to said piece of hollow jewelry.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to jewelry embellishments, and specifically to methods of embellishing hollow jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oftentimes, in order to save costs, mass-produced gold jewelry pieces, such as rings, pendants, and earrings, are manufactured in such a fashion as to result in hollow jewelry. There are a number of established methods for achieving such a result, including, electroforming, soldering together matching halves of a piece of jewelry, and constructing items from formed strips or tubes of metal.

Because the resulting hollow jewelry is more fragile and much thinner than its solid counterpart, it is difficult to add adornments to mass-produced hollow jewelry. For example, the precision required by soldering methods that join a gemstone to precious metal, such as disclosed in JP6253911, may not be applicable to mass production of jewelry.

More conventional methods of mounting gemstones in clawed settings are not applicable to hollow jewelry, without using additional materials and adding additional steps to the manufacturing process. For example, GBC183253 discloses attaching a gemstone to a support and mounting said support in a piece of jewelry, which requires a setting tool to cut out and bend claws over said stone set in said support. Alternatively, EP0955821 further discloses sheet material that is pressed onto a piece of jewelry to form a recessed setting for the gem and then said gemstone is secured within said recess by being pressed in place by a jig, a method that may increase production costs due to the need for additional material and the several additional production steps.

Other methods, such as GB13255174, which features screwing a decorative article with a threaded stud into a threaded hole tapped into a precious metal object, and JP58093530, which features affixing a gemstone to a metallic body by inserting the leg of a pedestal on which said gemstone is fitted into a hole in said metallic body, may not be an effective and durable mounting method for hollow jewelry because hollow jewelry is quite thin. Furthermore, such mounting methods may not be applicable to mass production of jewelry.

Methods such as those discussed above may effectively attach gemstones or other adornments to solid or thick pieces of jewelry. However, such methods are difficult to execute where, hollow jewelry is used without adding steps to the process, or using additional materials, thereby increasing production costs

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Presented herein is a cost-effective method for embellishing pieces of hollow jewelry manufactured according to known methods, without causing damage to the jewelry. This method is suitable for pieces of hollow jewelry such as earrings, pendants, and rings,

A key feature of the present invention is the reshaping of a section of the piece of hollow jewelry in order to accommodate at least one item of embellishment, such as a gemstone. The method further allows the use of adhesive material to bond said embellishment to said piece of hollow jewelry

In addition to being cost-effective, this novel method for adding embellishment to hollow metal jewelry offers an efficient manufacturing process that requires no additional metal and furthermore, may be executed in as few as three concise steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention will become more clearly understood in light of the ensuing description of embodiments herein, given by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1A provides a perspective view of an earring that may be used with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B provides an elevated view of an earring that may be used with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevated, sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1B, showing the locations of the cuts;

FIG. 3 is an elevated, sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1B, showing the depression of the cut section;

FIG. 4 is an elevated, sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1B, after the depression of the cut section is complete;

FIG. 5 is an elevated, sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1B, showing the placement of the adhesive material into the cut section; and

FIG. 6A provides a perspective view of an embellished earring according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6B provides an elevated, sectional view of an embellished earring according to an embodiment of FIG. 6B.

The drawings together with the description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.

No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures, and examples.

It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description below.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

The phrase “consisting essentially of”, and grammatical variants thereof, when used herein is not to be construed as excluding additional components, steps, features, integers or groups thereof but rather that the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, device or method.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

The term “method” refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques, and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

The terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” as used herein do not necessarily indicate that a “bottom” component is below a “top” component or that a component that is “below” is indeed “below” another component or that a component that is “above” is indeed “above” another component. As such, directions, components or both may be flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” may be used herein for exemplary purposes only, to illustrate the relative positioning or placement of certain components, to indicate a first and a second component or to do both.

Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Presented herein is a method of embellishing and attaching adornments to hollow jewelry, wherein a section of said jewelry is reshaped to accommodate at least one item of embellishment or item of adornment. Embodiments of the present invention are herein described more fully, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a piece of hollow jewelry may be manufactured according to known methods, including, for example, electroforming, soldering together matching halves of a piece of jewelry, constructing items from formed strips or tubes of metal, and other suitable methods. A piece of hollow jewelry may include, inter alia, an earring, a pendant, a ring, and other suitable items. Such a piece of hollow jewelry is described in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, which provide respectively a perspective and an elevated view of a hollow earring 100 that may be used according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows an elevated, sectional view of earring 100, two incisions may be made into earring 100. The upper and lower end of each incision does not reach beyond the inner and outer seam of earring 100. Said incisions create a cut section 150 that is attached to earring at the upper and lower edge but is disconnected on each lateral edge.

Once created, cut section 150 may be depressed in towards the hollow of earring 100. This action is shown in FIG. 3, which describes earring 100 in the process of having cut section 150 depressed, and in FIG. 4, which further describes earring 100 after the depression of cut section 150 is complete. Thus depressed, cut section 150 creates a deformed area. In another embodiment, the deformed area may be fashioned by forcing down an area of the surface of earring 100.

After cut section 150 is depressed, adhesive material 200 may be prepared and inserted over the area of cut section 150. Adhesive material 200 may include, for example, cyanoacrylate adhesives, also known as “superglues”, anaerobic adhesives such as, for example, Loctite®, epoxies, and other adhesive materials suitable for bonding dissimilar materials wherein one of the materials is some type of metal. FIG. 5 shows the placement of adhesive material 200 into cut section 150 of earring 100. When inserting adhesive material 200, care should be taken to ensure that adhesive material 200 remains only within the area of cut section 150.

At least one embellishment 300 may now be placed on adhesive material 200. Embellishments 300 may include, for example, crystals, precious stones, glass beads, and other suitable decorative or ornamental items. As soon as adhesive material 200 has set, embellishment 300 may be securely and permanently attached to earring 100, creating a new earring with an enhanced appearance. FIGS. 6A and 6B provide, respectively, a perspective view and an elevated, sectional view of an embellished earring 100.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it is to be understood that alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention are to be construed as being within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 

1. A method of embellishing a piece of hollow jewelry, said method comprising the steps of: reshaping a section of said piece of hollow jewelry, wherein said section shape is designed to accommodate at least one item of embellishment; placing adhesive material into said reshaped section of said piece of hollow jewelry; and positioning at least one embellishment on said adhesive material, thereby bonding said embellishment to said piece of hollow jewelry.
 2. A method of claim 1 wherein said piece of hollow jewelry is manufactured according to known methods including electroforming, soldering together matching halves of a piece of jewelry, and constructing items from formed strips or tubes of metal.
 3. A method of claim 1 wherein said piece of hollow jewelry includes at least one of the following: an earring, a pendant, a ring, a bracelet, and other suitable items.
 4. A method of claim 1 wherein the reshaping is accomplished by making two incisions in said piece of hollow jewelry.
 5. A method of claim 1 wherein the reshaping is accomplished by forcing down an area of the surface of said piece of hollow jewelry.
 6. A method of claim 1 wherein said adhesive material is suitable for bonding dissimilar materials wherein one of the materials is some type of metal.
 7. A method of claim 1 wherein said adhesive material includes at least one of the following: cyanoacrylate adhesives, superglues, anaerobic adhesives. Loctite®, and epoxies.
 8. A method of claim 1 wherein said embellishment includes at least one of the following: crystals, precious stones, glass beads, and other decorative or ornamental items.
 9. A piece of hollow jewelry, comprised of: a reshaped section, wherein said section shape is design to accommodate at least one item of embellishment; adhesive material applied to said reshaped section of said piece of hollow jewelry; at least one embellishment placed on said adhesive material, wherein the said embellishment is bonded by said adhesive material to said piece of hollow jewelry.
 10. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein said piece of hollow jewelry is manufactured according to known methods including electroforming, soldering together matching halves of a piece of jewelry, and constructing items from formed strips or tubes of metal.
 11. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein said piece of hollow jewelry includes at least one of the following: an earring, a pendant, a ring, a bracelet, and other suitable items.
 12. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein the reshaped section is accomplished by making two incisions in said piece of hollow jewelry.
 13. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein the reshaped section is accomplished by forcing down an area of the surface of said piece of hollow jewelry.
 14. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein said adhesive material is suitable for bonding dissimilar materials wherein one of the materials is metal.
 15. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein said adhesive material includes at least one of the following: cyanoacrylate adhesives, superglues, anaerobic adhesives, Loctite® and epoxies.
 16. The jewelry of claim 9 wherein said embellishment includes at least one of the following: crystals, precious stones, glass beads, and other decorative or ornamental items. 